A: Is for art that we see through our eyes!

Two of the most prestigious nature photography award contests are approaching. These visions come from the wilds of Africa, stretch out to Mexico’s Sea of Cortez and even land on a front porch in suburban Ohio, the winners find inspiration in nature all over North America. Last year, for the first time, photographers from all levels of expertise were invited to enter a competition that was conducted in collaboration with Nature’s Best Photography magazine. More than 12,000 images were submitted in eight categories: Mammals, Birds, Other Wildlife, Underwater Life, New Life, Connecting People and Nature, Habitat and Power of Nature. For each, a first-place prize was awarded in both the amateur and professional divisions. One first-place prize was also awarded in the youth division. The grand prize was awarded to an amateur. To view all of the winning images, along with instructions on how to enter this year’s competition, visit www.nwf.org/nationalwildlife and click on “PhotoZone.”Deadline for submitting entries is July 1st, 2008. Online entries can be uploaded starting March 23rd.

Reptile enthusiast Michael D. Kern created this year's winner, Iguana Eyes, by duplicating and reversing the image of a single iguana eye. He then blended the two images together.

Richard du Toit's eye-bending aerial shot of Burchell's zebras romaing the Kalahari Desert won the contest's grand prize. The South African native was awarded $2,500 and camera equipment.

To enter the 2008 NATURE’S BEST PHOTOGRAPHY WINDLAND SMITH RICE INTERNATIONAL AWARDS competition. More than $10,000 in cash will be awarded, including $2,500 to the Grand Prize winner. The winning photographs will be published in the Fall 2008 NATURE’S BEST PHOTOGRAPHY and may be selected for our annual exhibit at the Smithsonian National Museum of Natural History in Washington, DC, and in other locations. For this competition entries are accepted beginning on January 28, 2008 and must be postmarked no later than April 26, 2008.

Maybe through your eyes we will see the world anew and that is a eye opening F.A.C.T.